Information Concealment by Use of Antibody-Antigen Interactions

Utilizing interactions between antibodies and antigens provides a novel approach to produce cryptographic keys. By incorporating an immunoassay analytical platform, the research from this data shows that a cryptographic key can be applied in a symmetrical key cipher system. The methodology here uses the current encryption standard, the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) to correctly encrypt and decrypt a message. This allows both sender and receiver to use the exact same parameters for their distinct experiments. With the large number of parameters to produce a unique key, this methodology is beneficial in increasing security, as cryptography has potential problems with using repeat keys that could allow a greater chance for unwanted third-party interruption. The immunoassays addition to the encryption system provides an extra step in the security of encryption. Two different immunoassay types are used in this research, a direct ELISA and a multicomponent ELISA with four antibodies that must be in the correct sequence, like a pin pad, in order to obtain an optimal signal for encryption. The pin pad acts as a sequence, not just numbers in a specific order, and this research uses the sequence of antibodies as a pin pad with biosensing. With the sequence in the incorrect order the antibodies, ran with the addition of a substrate and hydrogen peroxide, will not produce a signal, but in the correct order the optimal signal will be produced. The optimal signal produced is an “unlock” option and the incorrect sequence is “lock”. Like a password on an iPhone, ATM, or safe, with the correct sequence of numbers access is granted but, incorrectly inputted, no access is granted.

Embargo status: Restricted until 06/2025. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.